UPDATE ON PHCR PIRATESS PRINCESS DI: Princess Di found her special human early in 2007.  She'd always been a sweet friendly girl, but not one to be coy or try to outdo the other kitties. That is until one day when a fellow came in to rescue thatshe knew was the human she was meant for!  When he came in, she did every trick in the world to get him to notice her and be blinded to any other kitty in the room!  She even rolled on her back and turned up her belly for a rub - she'd never done that before!!  Turns out she's one girl who does get her way.  The fellow fell madly for her and they went off to live happily ever after. Such a wonderful outcome for a kitty who had been hit so badly by some human in Oregon that her eye had to be removed by the fabulous Friends of Pets of Klamath Basin, Oregon, who saved her and brought her to us to enlarge her possibilities of finding her perfect home, which she did!

UPDATE ON PHCR PIRATE HARVEY:  Harvey was one lucky guy too. A PHCR volunteer devoted all her free time to helping get Harvey well and, in the process, fell in love with him and became his forever human. He is such a gorgeous, gorgeous guy and has an equally gorgeous personality, as does his Angel human. They are a match truly made in heaven!

MR. SNICKERS: Mr. Snickers arrival into PHCR was extremely unusual - he literally fell out of a tree into the arms of a wonderful woman, Elaine. She took one look at that fabulous face and knew this kitty should not be outdoors. She called Pat (our PHCR Pat) to see if we could rescue him. Since we were way beyond full Pat asked Elaine if she could keep Mr. Snickers until we could get foster or rescue space for him. She didn't realize, but she was destined to be a PHCR Angel and agreed to not only keep him for a few days, but until we found his owner who lost him. It turned out that his owner could not be found, so Elaine then agreed to foster him and allow people who Pat interviewed and determined might be a good match to come and see him. We all knew that Mr. Snickers didn't fall out of a tree into the arms of an angel for no reason, and sure enough the human to whom he was meant to bring love and happiness found her way to PHCR and Mr. Snickers!

Harvey, a/k/a Sweet Pea, an incredible 3-pound 'Lionheart' has come to PHCR. His story is so horrible that we very thoughtfully considered whether we should tell the details of his story or not. We decided to do so because it is important that everyone knows what it is like at some of the shelters. Many shelters are very good, giving care and treating animals humanely, but unfortunately too many do not. An example is what happened to Harvey. We have including a photo even though it is very hard to view because we hope that the awareness that it brings will arouse outrage to help our work, with other rescue organizations, to bring change to the bad shelters.  In this case Ann is again the Angel (Wanda is always an Angel of each of PHCR kitty's stories because it is she that physically cares for them!). An inside contact Ann has at the shelter (Ann hovers over this shelter daily) contacted her late in the night on Oct 23 to advise that a Persian kitten had come in with such severe eye injury that his eye was hanging out.

Ann was at the shelter door before the first personnel had arrived. She was advised that the kitten had to stay for 4 days to give an owner time to claim the kitten - BUT they were NOT going to provide required medical care because if the owner did not show they would instead euthanize him rather than spend the money for his care. (Mind you, this is a newly built huge, modern, beautiful building with beautiful grounds/facilities for visitors, but no budget for personnel or medical treatments to care for the animals.) Ann proceeded to get to the shelter manager and threatened to call every news organization in the area - print and TV - if the kitten was not immediately released to PHCR for care during the 4-day wait for the owner to claim him. The owner never claimed him.  Can you imagine letting an animal sit in that condition with no medical care! It's outrageous!! 

Harvey has received medical care, his eye has been removed and he is doing really, really well. He is only 3-4 months old, is extremely affectionate and sweet, still an incredibly beautiful chinchilla silver Persian, and getting around with a proud strut and his head held high with as if one eye is all the eyes anyone should ever need!! He is one strong little 'Braveheart!' He is now ready for his forever home, for his own very special human(s) to love, enjoy and protect him from ever having to endure such horror again for the rest of his life.

Another 'Lionheart,' PRECIOUS, came to PHCR the end of Septemer with a raging case of upper respitory infection (URI), such a bad case that the shelter was going to euthanize her if we didn't get there that day. Wonderwoman Ann flew her by auto from the shelter to the isolation ward at PHCR where her Angel, Wanda, went to work with all the medical care and love to sit by her side day and night to medicate, force-feed, clean her to keep her dignity intact, tell her constantly that she was loved and with a will of steel not only got her well but brought her to good, strong health. Wanda has not only given Precious her life back, but also a gift to the special human(s) meant for Precious - a gift of the opportunity to experience the joy and love of an exceptionally sweet and loving kitty.

So it continues to be a roller coaster ride with the depths of dispair lower than normal but then the heights of gratitude and hope higher than normal - and those heights have come about by your wonderful support. We can not tell you enough how grateful we are for your help.

Families who were thinking of adopting came forward and in the last week, 10/26 through 11/1 nine kitties have been adopted. However, we continue to receive 1 to 2 calls every day from shelters advising a kitty's time is up and we need to take that Persian or Himalayan into rescue.

As you know, this past month has been a crisis for kitties - kitties of all types actually.  Shelters are receiving record numbers and, at the same time, adoptions have drastically slowed.  We don't know why, but Wanda says it is the worst she has ever seen.  While there are a number of very good shelters that apply medical care and resources to giving kitties a chance to find homes, unfortunately the majority do not operate that way. So we put out an urgent call for help - for qualified foster homes, transport, help at the PHCR Rescue Center in caring for the kitties not in foster, and for loving humans to adopt.

Wonderful lifesaving angels magically appeared to help!  Foster families opened their arms, jumped through the hoops that it requires to insure proper care for the kitties can be provided, and took kitties to foster into their arms and carried them home to care for them for the time it takes to find their forever home.  Their help allowed us to take in some special cases - kitties whose lives would have otherwise been lost, whose sweetness and joy would never have been able to be received by future adopters.

On top of the crisis in the number of kitties in need, we were inspected by the Marin Animal Care & Control, which we always welcome because we believe that all facilities that care of animals should be held to the higest of standards while caring for the animals dependent upon them.  We are happy to report that the inspection went very well and we thank Marin Animal Care & Control and their dedicated personnel for the good job that they do.

We'd like to share some of our experiences where human angels came to the aid of loving, brave, 'Lionheart' kitties.

Ann worked in fast-forward to advertise for, qualify, organize and bring into the PHCR volunteer family additional foster homes. And all the while she was doing this, she was snatching kitties from shelters within hours of their being euthanized and transporting to their angel foster homes. Ann would find out about a kitty in jeopardy and within 5 minutes she was on the way to save. Picture SuperWoman with short, curly gray hair flying from shelter to foster home one right after the other and you have a good visual of Ann's last few weeks!

Tatyana spend hours every single day at the main 'dormitory' helping Wanda take care of kitties and cleaning. She got a kitty that came in such bad shape - he had been lost for a long time apparently and was severly emaciated and weak - back to smiles and eating. The strength of the love she and Wanda gave CHRIS daily gave him the will to fight to live so that the medical care they gave could get him better. Wait till you see the photos of Chris now that he is well and after Eric gave him a very gentle bath and massage -- they will be posted in a few days. After this bath he ate and ate and ate! Chris is such a 'Lionheart!'

Teresa zoomed up to the 'dormitory' from the East Bay and put in double-duty time helping with cleaning and care of the kitties. Teresa is an Angel that is always hovering over ready to help the kitties on a regular basis, but with the crisis of so many kitties needing help she hovered closer to put in lots of extra help.

Pat and Bob worked on a crisis of 2 kitties at a shelter that were going to be euthanized by 5 PM on the same the day we found out about their situation - without getting opportunity to go to adoption area.  One was extremely sick, but the other is not only very young, but healthy and incredibly loving and sweet. Pat zoomed to Modesto early Saturday to get them, meet Wisty part way to transfer the sick kitty to the vet, and take the other kitty home to foster. Talk about an angel! The sick kitty (FRANCIS) is still alive because of the sheer force of Pat's will. First the shelter didn't have her name on the paperwork and was not going to give her the kitties. Pat planted her feet at the desk and refused to leave until they gave her the two cats (don't mess with Pat!). And, she made them give the sick kitty some fluids right then because she was afraid that he may not make the trip to Bay Area without that. All the way to meet Wisty she prayed to St. Francis (hence his being named 'Francis'). At one point along the way, when Francis started gasping and there was absolutely nothing around, Pat stoped the car, pulled Francis to her and breathed into his mouth trying to give him CPR!  He made it to the vet, where he was stabilized and is receiving critical care from the very loving veterinarian and her staff. They are putting great effort into attending to both his physical and emotional needs. He has gotten a bit better, has a fighting chance, but is still touch and go. Please send him thoughts of love. He is the sweetest kitty. Although he is so weak it is hard for him to raise his head, he makes the effort to raise it just enough to open his big, beautiful eyes and give looks of gratitude and love. If this kitty can make it, he is going to be a very loving and fabulous companion.  He is a true 'Lionheart.'

So, it's been a real roller coaster ride. We've all been down in the valley of dispair feeling hopeless and then high on the mountain of hope and gratitude and wonder at the angels who always seemed to come at just the right time to save a kitty, the many who were too far away or unable to help physically but sent donations and calls and emails of encouragement. The crisis continues, but you've built the mountain of hope and help. The kitties, and volunteers too, are very grateful and cannot thank you all enough.

As you can see from these photos, Oliver and Milky took all the yard sale preparations in stride. Oliver, on the left, was just totally up tight and bothered by all the activity. Milky, on the right, looks out the window and seems to be thinking 'Boy, I'm glad I'm a cat today and not a human having to put all those things on tables in the yard.'  Actually, I think he was keeping watch to make sure we kept too busy to put him in the sink and wash him!

Unlike the cats, some humans were totally freaked out at getting their photo taken (namely, Andrea!).  Wanda's husband, Bob 'The Towel Washer Man' had to almost tackle her as he and Eric conspired to trap her into letting Eric get her photo,

Wanda, on the left, soon got the goofing off and procrastination stopped. Eric caught her here reminding everyone of the tables full of sale items, on the right, that needed to get set up.  She's saluting all the troops she has lined up at attention as she dismisses them to go and get to work - now!

Long time PHCR volunteer, Ann, on the left, is hiding out in the grooming parlor trying to take a break.  But, Wanda, on the right, runs a tight ship and soon found her and put her and Wisty, in the middle, back to work getting the grooming parlor in spic-n-span shape. Do you think Ann, on the left, looks a bit guilty here!?

Eric's got the easy job of photographer to chronicle the preparations and takes time out here to give Mike, on the left, one of the new guys, a super cheek rubbing. Mike LOVES to have his cheeks rubbed!  And that's Sahara on the right looking up at Eric saying, 'Hey, what about me!  I would like my cheeks rubbed too!'

If you didn't come to the yard sale, see what you missed!  Bob's labor of love fo the kitties - he fully restored this antique bike just for the yard sale to support the kitties. 

The yard sale was the best sale ever!  On the day of the sale, Suzanne and Theresa stayed and helped all day, along with volunteers Marsha and Linda and, of course, Wanda and Bob and Andrea. the newlyweds, Carolyn and Rolf, came with lots of great stuff and helped all day too. Carolyn brought adorable soaps in the shapes of Persian cats that she had made by hand - they sold out quickly!  Pugsley's family stopped by with photos of Pugsley and a donation sent by the Pugs. He is really enjoying his new home and his fellow cats adore him - but how could they not with him such an adorable guy! They also worked the yard sale by staying and helping us clean up. It was a fun and productive day.  If you missed this year's yard sale, we hope we see you at next year's!  And we thank everyone for your wonderful support of the amazing kitties that some through Persian & Himalayan Cat Rescue. 

[8-26-06 Update] We were so busy with yard sale preparations we didn't get a new photo of Princess Di. But we promise to have one next week. Her eye has totally healed, and with her fur growing out she's looking like the doll that she is! She's much more relaxed now at PHCR and loosing one eye hasn't hindered her getting around at all - she jumps to the window like a champ. She is so smart and adapted very quickly. She is curious about everything and always checking out what's going on. And she likes to be held upside down like a baby. Wisty loves holding her like that and having Di gaze so lovingly into her eyes. See more about Princess Di on our 'Cats for Adoption' page and Call Wanda at 415-388-7925 for adoption information on Princess Di.

Tatyana, PHCR Super Comber, who combs the kitties during each week.  Helps the Beauty Parlor team tremendously!  She somehow has a talent for getting the kitties to love her combing them - well, most of the kitties anyway!

First photo is Fuzzy with pre-bath face wash, which you can see he isn't all that happy about!  Pat had pitty on him and held him while Eric got the bath water temperature just right. She's telling him how wonderful he'll feel after the bath, but he doesn't look convinced.  However, he did feel wonderful after it was all done and he was all dry and combed and fluffed out.  You could tell he was thinking, 'I may be the elder gent around here, but I'm still the handsomest on the block!'

Wisty is holding Monroe after his face wash. She's looking a bit sad because Monroe's new Mom came to pick him up that afternoon. His new Mom is absolutely wonderful and we're all so happy for Monroe - and his Mom.  But we're going to miss that loveable, cuddly little guy!  It does help that his new Mom lives in SF, knows Andrea, and is going to be working with us doing applications for grants.  So we'll be able to keep in touch and she'll bring him by for us to hug too we hope!

Beau is watching his bedroom getting cleaned and new bedding. He's making sure that the new blanket is fluffed and arranged just right.  And, of course, Wanda is watching too as she is Quality Control Director!  Sissy was relaxed watching all the activity very calmly from a cat tree.  She had ESP that she wasn't on the bath schedule for that day!

Wanda did a bathing demo on Devon, who, as you can see from the second photo, thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing!  Like Eric, Wanda's got magic finger rubbing technique that the kitties just love!

In the photo on the left, Pat (yes, there are 2 Pats), a long-time volunteer, is finishing washing litter pans.  In the photo on the right, Wanda arrived just as Pat finished and is clearly delighted to be able to say, 'Oh, am I too late to be able to help?'

End of the work day, sort of. Eric documented the pile of towels we went through for the kitty baths. Wanda's work is never done!  But her husband Bob, who we have to trap into letting Eric take his photo, helps to get the towels washed, dried, folded, and put away ready for the next kitty baths!  Though the pile is never gone because condos and kitties and getting cleaned and cared for every day. But, hey, these guys have been through tough times and they deserve the very best. They are lucky when they get rescued by Wanda, because she gives them nothing but the best! And we are luck to get to volunteer for Wanda because we get to enjoy playing with and cuddling these incredible kitties. There's nothing like seeing a kitty blossom into happiness after coming in all scared and sad. And it's amazing to witness the love that sparks immediately between their special human and them when their time for adoption comes - totally amazing!

This week Beauty Parlor Day was Saturday, 8-6-06.  As usual, Tatyana came each day of the week to comb the kitties to get them ready for Beauty Parlor Day. Angela was there during the morning doing the petting/cuddling - she is our official "Cat Cuddler' and she does a wonderful job of it. All the kitties love her and Tatyana. As opposed to not being all that happy to see Wisty and Eric, the bathers!

Suzanne (photo below) joined the crew helping out with the 'dormitory' cleaning but also bringing more work (her help made up for it!) - she rescued four - yes that is 4 - Persians from the Peninsula Shelter and delivered to Wanda's. They had all been put in the overnight drop box at Peninsula - imagine! They are all just gorgeous and super sweet - check them out on our AVAILABLE CATS FROM OUR RESCUE - Cats for Adoption page. We have a tradition that whoever pulls a kitty from the Shelter and transports to Wanda's gets to name the kitty. So Suzanne got the honors and she named them Patty, Peaches, Polly & Penny - all starting with 'P' since they came from Peninsula Shelter. 

Andrea brought a rescue from San Francisco Animal Care & Control - a darling red and white that she named Chrissy. She is on the Cats for Adoption page too.

With all the excitement of Princess Di's arrival the day before, all the new kitties coming in, we forgot to get 'beauty treatment progress' photos!  But we did, under protest, manage to get Suzanne's photo! (That's Andrea in the background.)